Top 5 Most Beautiful Africa Safari Destinations

Africa is world-renowned for its national parks where wildlife roams free. Deciding on where to go might be a tough decision, which is why we have narrowed it down for you. Here are the five most beautiful safari destinations in Africa:

Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya

You can hardly talk about going on safari to Africa without mentioning the Masai Mara. This iconic game reserve is located in Narok County, 280km south-east of Nairobi. There are two main ways of getting there from Nairobi- by road or by air. Flying from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport takes about an hour, while a road trip takes 5 hours.

The Masai Mara Game Reserve is world-famous and for a good reason. It is home to the thrilling annual wildebeest migration, now designated as the eighth wonder of the world.  To cement its greatness, the Masai Mara has been named  ‘Africa’s leading national park’ for six times in a row by the World Travel Awards.

It is not so difficult to see why this park has earned such glowing recognition. Every year between July-October, its idyllic plains transform into a battleground of wits and survival as millions of wildebeest attempts to cross the crocodile-infested Mara River. On the riverbanks, predators of all kinds lie in wait, anticipating their next meal. Suffice it to say that the ensuing action is one of the most thrilling adventures you have ever experienced.

Away from the wildebeest migration, the Masai Mara boasts hundreds of animal species and birds. Some of the activities you can indulge in here include hot air balloon rides, cultural visits, walking safaris, and bush dinners. Accommodation options range from budget options to super luxurious.

The Masai Mara is unique in that it is an all-year destination, and you can have a fantastic game viewing experience at any time of the year. If you want to experience the thrill of the migration, however, then the best time to visit is between July-October. If you are looking for more information on the Masai Mara, MasaiMarasafari.in has great insights.

Chobe National Park, Botswana

Chobe National Park boasts a dense population of wildlife and lush green vegetation, which strikes a beautiful contrast in the African jungle. It is located in northern Botswana, near the town of Kasane. It also borders Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Namibia, making it a convenient destination in Southern Africa. Kasane is located about 925km from Gaborone, the capital city, a two-hour flight.

Chobe National Park, also known as the land of the giants, has one of Africa’s largest elephant populations, estimated at 120,000. The park also has large herds of buffalo, lions, and leopards.

One unique feature of Chobe National Park is the Chobe River, which meanders through the plains, woodlands, and forests, giving life to the park. Hundreds of hippos and crocodiles have made their homes in the river, and herds upon herds of other animals drink on its riverfront. This makes for easy game viewing, including birds, of which there are over 450 species!

One of the most popular activities at Chobe National Park is the river cruise, which you do not want to miss. The morning cruise is an excellent opportunity to see animals as they come for a morning drink. The evening cruise is particularly special, as this is the best time to take stunning photographs and catch the crocodiles lazing by the banks. Magic comes alive when the sun sets on the horizon, illuminating the waters into a beautiful orange hue.

Chobe enjoys wet and dry seasons, and each has its high points. Birds will be more abundant during the wet season (December- April), and during the dry season (May-November), animals congregate along the river banks. Regardless of when you go, Chobe promises you an adventure of a lifetime.

 Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park is one of the most famous game parks in the world.  It is the origin of the great wildebeest migration, which starts in its northern hills, ending up at Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya. This park is located north of Tanzania, about 380km from Arusha. You can reach here by air, flying from Arusha into Kilimanjaro International Airport, or by road, which takes about seven hours.

In 2019, the Serengeti upstaged Kenya’s Masai Mara and South Africa’s Kruger National Parks to be named ‘Africa’s leading national park’ by the World Travel Awards. This park has also seen its fair share of celebrities, most recently in September 2019, when American actor Will Smith visited to shoot a documentary for National Geographic.

It is easy to see why this park is so famous. Its plains extend as far as the eye can see, with thousands of wild animals roaming free. The king of the jungle rules here, and you will not struggle to identify the big five. Other exciting things you can do include hot air balloon rides, picnic lunches, bush dinners, cultural village visits, and walking safaris.

While the Serengeti is a jungle, accommodation is far from that. You will find some of the most luxurious tented camps here, complete with champagne breakfasts and spa massages.

The best time to visit the Serengeti is the dry season between June-October, but there is still plenty to see and do other times of the year.  You will not go wrong if you start your great migration African safari here.